Used car guide

2012 Alfa Romeo Mito: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2012 Alfa Romeo Mitos, from 2,003 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

2,003MOT tests in 2025
63%pass first time (all 2012 cars: 63%)
6,400typical miles a year
2.3×the usual rate for coil springs

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2012 Alfa Romeo Mitos than on all cars registered in 2012.

  • Coil springs2.3× usual
    Alfa Romeo Mito
    22% All 2012 cars
    9.6%

    Failed outright at MOT: 6.8%, against 4% of all 2012 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £175–£400 (pair, one axle) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: Look behind each wheel for a snapped spring coil, and listen for a clunk or twang when turning the wheel lock to lock with the car stopped.

  • Exhaust system2.2× usual
    Alfa Romeo Mito
    12.3% All 2012 cars
    5.5%

    Failed outright at MOT: 2.8%, against 1.5% of all 2012 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £100–£500 (pipe or section) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: Listen for blowing or rattling from underneath at idle, and look for black soot around joints.

  • Engine oil leaks1.8× usual
    Alfa Romeo Mito
    13.1% All 2012 cars
    7.3%

    Failed outright at MOT: 0.1%, against 0.2% of all 2012 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £80–£600 our estimate

    At the viewing: Look under the engine and where the car is usually parked for fresh oil. Ask whether the leak has been looked at.

  • Sub-frame2.1× usual
    Alfa Romeo Mito
    10.5% All 2012 cars
    5%

    Failed outright at MOT: 0.7%, against 0.3% of all 2012 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £300–£1,000 our estimate

    At the viewing: Look underneath at the frame the suspension bolts to. Flaky rust or holes are expensive to fix.

  • Transmission oil leaks5.8× usual
    Alfa Romeo Mito
    5.2% All 2012 cars
    0.9%

    Failed outright at MOT: 0%, against 0% of all 2012 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £80–£600 our estimate

    At the viewing: Look under the engine and where the car is usually parked for fresh oil. Ask whether the leak has been looked at.

Better than most

Ball joint: 1.1% here, against 5.6% of all 2012 cars. Rigid brake pipes: 1.5% here, against 5.5% of all 2012 cars.

By area

The share of 2012 Alfa Romeo Mito MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Suspension
    44% of testsRough price £120–£400

    At the viewing: Listen for knocks over speed bumps, and look behind each front wheel for a snapped coil spring.

  • Tyres
    36% of testsRough price £70–£150

    At the viewing: Check the tread on all four tyres, including the inside edges, and look for cracks or bulges.

  • Brakes
    32% of testsRough price £150–£350

    At the viewing: Look for a lip on the disc edges and feel for judder or pulling when braking firmly from about 40mph.

  • Lights and electrics
    27% of testsRough price £10–£80

    At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light, including brake lights and indicators, while you operate them.

  • Oil and fluid leaks
    18% of testsRough price £80–£600

    At the viewing: Look under the engine and on the ground where the car is usually parked for fresh oil or fluid.

  • Exhaust and emissions
    13% of testsRough price £100–£1,200

    At the viewing: Look for black soot in the tailpipe, listen for blowing from the exhaust and check for engine or DPF warning lights.

Looking at a Alfa Romeo Mito?

Check the actual car: its own MOT history, mileage and what to ask the seller. Free, no sign-up.

Other years

YearMOT testsMost flagged
2017729Suspension 31%
20161,447Suspension 33%
20151,516Suspension 43%
20141,600Suspension 47%
20131,528Suspension 46%
20112,421Suspension 47%
20102,677Suspension 47%
20092,900Suspension 46%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 2012 Alfa Romeo Mitos registered in 2012. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score